Explanation: How Brain Training Can Make You Significantly Smarter
As many people hit
middle age, they often start to notice that their memory and mental clarity are
not what they used to be. We suddenly
can't remember where we put the keys just a moment ago, or an old
acquaintance's name, or the name of an old band we used to love. As the brain fades, we euphemistically refer
to these occurrences as "senior moments."
While seemingly
innocent, this loss of mental focus can potentially have a detrimental impact
on our professional, social, and personal well-being.
It happens to most of
us, but is it inevitable?
Neuroscientists are
increasingly showing that there's actually a lot that can be done. It turns that the brain needs exercise in
much the same way our muscles do, and the right mental workouts can
significantly improve our basic cognitive functions. Thinking is essentially a process of making
neural connections in the brain. To a
certain extent, our ability to excel in making the neural connections that
drive intelligence is inherited.
However, because these connections are made through effort and practice,
scientists believe that intelligence can expand and fluctuate according to
mental effort.
Now, a new San
Francisco Web-based company has taken it a step further and developed the first
"brain training program" designed to actually help people improve and
regain their mental sharpness. Called
Lumosity, it was designed by some of the leading experts in neuroscience and
cognitive psychology from Stanford University.
Lumosity, is far more
than an online place to exercise your mental skills. That's because they have integrated these
exercises into a Web-based program that allows you to systematically improve
your memory and attention skills. The
program keeps track of your progress and provides detailed feedback on your
performance and improvement. Most importantly,
it constantly modifies and enhances the games you play to build on the
strengths you are developing--much like an effective exercise routine requires
you to increase resistance and vary your muscle use.
Does it work?
Apparently it does. In
randomized, controlled clinical trials, Lumosity was shown to significantly
improve basic cognitive functions. One study showed students improved their
scores on math tests by 34 percent after using Lumosity for six weeks,
significantly greater gains than those made by other students in the same
class, who were not training with the Lumosity program.
The company says its
users have reported clearer and quicker thinking, improved memory for names,
numbers, directions, increased alertness and awareness, elevated mood, and
better concentration at work or while driving.
While many of the
games at Lumosity are free, a modest subscription fee is required to use the
full program over the long term.
However, Lumosity is
currently offering a free trial of their program to new users so that you can
see how well it works before you decide to subscribe. The trial is completely free (no credit card
required) and the company believes the results will speak for themselves.
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